Rats and mice
Domesticated rats make fantastic pets for children and adults. They are highly intelligent, clean and very sociable. They can have the same interaction with you as a dog or cat would. Usually a nocturnal animal, rats quickly adjust their sleeping patterns to come out and play when you get home from school or work.
Some insights to guide you
- Pet rats and mice require no vaccinations and carry no diseases.
- Males do get larger than the females and will tend to be lazier and more laid back.
- Females will still have the playful tendencies when they mature.
- Rats generally don't smell and if they do it means you haven't cleaned their cage enough.
- Rats and mice will wash themselves and constantly groom; however, you can give your rat an occasional bath.
- The average life span of rats is two to three years; mice one to two years.
Unlike guinea pigs they are clean in their housekeeping, usually urinating in one corner of the cage. Female mice are preferred by many because they do not have the 'musky' odour that is natural for male mice.